BA (Hons) Film, TV & Games Music

Composing for Film and TV

Credit value: 20

You’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of composing for film and television. You’ll explore different approaches to scoring Film and TV and how music interacts with visual media. Through interactive group seminars, you’ll be able to discuss your work, share opinions and ideas with your peers and explore how music shapes narrative and emotion in moving images.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and principal study composition. Assessment includes a composition portfolio. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%) 

Composing for Video Games and Library Music

Credit value: 20

You’ll build on your Semester 1 skills in composition to discover more advanced techniques in composing for library music and video games. Through collaborative workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to explore and refine your compositional voice. You’ll be able to strengthen your understanding of the emotional and narrative function of music for this specific genre of media.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and principal study moving image composition. Assessment includes a composition portfolio. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%) 

Creativity in Music for the Moving Image

Credit value: 20

You’ll establish a solid technical and creative foundation as you explore various compositional possibilities. You’ll develop confidence in how film, TV and games music is conceived and composed, the importance of understanding how emotion is generated through music, and its benefit and application to the moving image. Through seminars and collaborative study, you’ll be encouraged to share your work and discuss films and film music at length and in detail with your tutor. 

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment includes a composition portfolio and essays. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%) 

Film and TV Music Analysis

Credit value: 20

This module builds on your understanding of composing for the moving image by bringing together your compositional skills and orchestration knowledge through an analytical approach. You’ll analyse a broader spectrum of film, TV and game scores and challenge yourself to apply your knowledge in diverse and complex scoring scenarios. This module will help you to grow confidence in your analytical skills and your abilities as a musician.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment includes a composition portfolio and essays. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%) 

Producing Music for the Moving Image

Credit value: 20

On this module you’ll further develop your music production, theory and aural knowledge. You’ll deepen your understanding of digital audio workstation techniques and music theory that applies to compositional approaches for music for the moving image.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops. Assessment includes a production and composition portfolio and a notion/theory examination. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%) 

Production, Theory and Aural Skills

Credit value: 20

You’ll learn the foundational elements of music production, music theory and aural skills essential for composing and producing music for Film, TV, and Games. You’ll develop key practical skills in digital audio workstations (DAWs), basic editing techniques, and core music theory. Through practical workshops and theoretical lectures and seminars, you’ll develop technical proficiency and an understanding of the principles of music production.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops. Assessment includes a practical music production task and an examination of theory and aural skills. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%) 

Composing Music for the Moving Image

Credit value: 20

On this module, you’ll combine three key areas in composing for the moving image. You’ll combine individual exploration with collaborative sessions to establish a solid technical and creative grounding in how film music is conceived and composed. You’ll discuss various compositional possibilities, share your work and discuss films and film music at length with your peers.

This module is delivered through a combination of large and small group sessions and individualised sessions. Assessment includes a portfolio of music for the moving image and a portfolio of library music. 

Learning and teaching hours: 35 (17.5%) 
Directed study hours: 160 (82.5%)

Music Production for the Moving Image

Credit value: 20

You’ll explore the essential music production knowledge needed to understand recorded music and the sonic manipulation needed to bring authenticity and professionalism to music for moving image. Through combining theories and practicalities of music production, you’ll develop a rounded understanding of the craft of music production.

This module is delivered through a combination of practical workshops and seminars. Assessment includes a portfolio of music and a piece of notated score. 

Learning and teaching hours: 20 (10%) 
Directed study hours: 180 (90%)

Understanding Film Narratives

Credit value: 20

On this module, you’ll deepen your understanding of the relationship between film and music and how music is used as part of the narrative process. You’ll learn the importance of the film script, thematic content and how to interpret narrative function in film, television and video games. You’ll look at creative and practical applications of film, both historically and currently.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment includes a portfolio of an essay and a 5-minute supportive vlog. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%)

Film Music Production in Context 

On this module, you’ll focus on the important of mixing in music production for film, television and video games. You’ll work with relevant applications and software such as Logic, EastWest, Kontakt, Spitfire and Reason. You’ll develop the confidence to explore the functionality and operation of DAW software in music production.

This module is delivered through practical workshops. Assessment includes a mixing task. 

Learning and teaching hours: 20 (10%) 
Directed study hours: 180 (90%)

Industry in Context 

This module helps you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the film music industry. You’ll delve into the creative, artistic and commercial context behind music for film, television and video games. You’ll also examine key working practices and patterns within the industry, which will help to enhance versatile skills essential for a career in music for moving image.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment includes an essay submission. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%)

Music for Visual Storytelling 

You’ll discover how music plays an important role in visual storytelling, with weekly sessions exploring the art and craft of film scoring, looking deeper into the different aspects, such as composition, orchestration and how to illicit emotion in music in context of narrative films.  Through a combination of seminars and lectures, you’ll develop confidence in discussing your work as well as films and film music at length.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and 1-1 sessions. Assessment includes a portfolio of music for the moving image and a piece of notated score. 

Learning and teaching hours: 35 (17.5%) 
Directed study hours: 165 (82.5%)

Composing, Arranging and Orchestration

Credit value: 20

Continuing from study at level 4, this module will help you to foster a greater awareness of the professionalism expected from a composer working in an ‘industry’ context as a composer, arranger ad orchestrator. You’ll learn new skills and understanding of how film music functions and is used to communicate context and meaning.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and 1-1 sessions. Assessment includes a portfolio of music for the moving image and a piece of notated score. 

Learning and teaching hours: 35 (17.5%) 
Directed study hours: 165 (82.5%)

Orchestration in the DAW

Credit value: 20

You’ll develop confidence in managing and manipulating sequencing software and sample libraries within the context of music production. You’ll acquire a high level of knowledge and understanding of how to compose and mix music in a moving image environment. You’ll use music production software and learn how to produce realistic and authentic-sounding film music.

This module is delivered through a combination of workshops and seminars. Assessment includes a portfolio of music. 

Learning and teaching hours: 20 (10%) 
Directed study hours: 180 (90%)

Understanding Aesthetics and Meaning in Film

Credit value: 20

You’ll dive into the aesthetics and meaning in film, understanding what films are, the function and role they fulfil and how and why music is used and how it affects the commercial and artistic merit of film. You’ll discover how movies are essential in documenting the world we live in and how they’re used to make sense of our surroundings and lives.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment includes a research portfolio. 

Learning and teaching hours: 20 (10%) 
Directed study hours: 180 (90%) 

Advanced Aesthetics and Meaning in Film

Credit value: 20

On this module, you’ll develop your knowledge of global cinema and its evolving role in Western culture and media. You’ll analyse foreign language films and television, commercial films, art films and documentaries. You’ll examine music’s crucial role in global cinema and how music be used to enhance film meaning and experience.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment includes a research portfolio. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%)

Advanced DAW Production and Synthesis

Credit value: 20

You’ll learn how to apply various music production software when composing music for film. You’ll develop confidence in how to operate, manage sequencing, sampling and synthesis performance applications relevant to music production for moving film.

This module is delivered through a combination of workshops and seminars. Assessment includes a film music composition and a piece of Library music with notation. 

Learning and teaching hours: 20 (10%) 
Directed study hours: 180 (90%) 

Composing, Arranging, Orchestration and Transcription

Credit value: 20

This module builds on your knowledge of composing, arranging and orchestration for the moving image. You’ll discover ideas relating to composition, harmony, orchestration, and a greater awareness of transcription and score preparation. This module will help to building confidence in analysing a broad range of traditional and contemporary techniques and approaches to film music.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and 1-1 sessions. Assessment includes a portfolio of music for the moving image and a piece of notated score. 

Learning and teaching hours: 35 (17.5%) 
Directed study hours: 165 (82.5%) 

Research Studies

Credit value: 40

This module will allow you to specialise and delve deeper into a music-related area of your choice. You’ll have the freedom to explore a piece of written work to accompany the practical element of this assignment. You’ll develop key analytical and research skills needed to critically evaluate your chosen topic.

This module is delivered through seminars. Assessment includes a reflective essay and a portfolio of music. 

Learning and teaching hours: 40 (10%) 
Directed study hours: 360 (90%)

Film and Film Music Composition and Analysis

Credit value: 20

Building on knowledge developed at level 5, you’ll be able to develop a significant awareness of your compositional identity and how this related to existing styles and contexts in the film music industry. You’ll be able to refine and enhance your understanding of the creative techniques employed in film music composition.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and 1-1- sessions. Assessment includes a piece of music composed to film and a reflective essay. 

Learning and teaching hours: 20 (10%) 
Directed study hours: 180 (90%) 

Music for Video Games

Credit value: 20

You’ll discover the craft, techniques and concepts used in creating music for video games. You’ll learn how to analyse video game music and how practical elements, such as composition, can add to the narrative function of video game music.

This module is delivered through a combination of workshops and seminars. Assessment includes Video Games composition. 

Learning and teaching hours: 20 (10%) 
Directed study hours: 180 (90%)

Advanced Film and Film Music Composition and Analysis

Credit value: 20

This module will prepare you with the industry-standard skills and knowledge essential for today’s film composer. You’ll be able to master your craft as you refine your understanding of film music composition. Through 1-1 sessions, lectures and seminars, you’ll develop a highly advanced awareness of film music composition and how this translates in the industry.

This module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and 1-1 sessions. Assessment includes a piece of music composed to film and a piece of notated score. 

Learning and teaching hours: 35 (17.5%) 
Directed study hours: 165 (82.5%)

Advanced Music for Video Games

Credit value: 20

On this module, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of complex techniques used in video game music to progress narrative and give context. You’ll develop confidence in how to compose for this genre as you analyse examples and examine compositional techniques frequently used in this industry.

This module is delivered through practical workshops. Assessment includes a piece of music composed to video games. 

Learning and teaching hours: 30 (15%) 
Directed study hours: 170 (85%)